The importance and meaning of the sign of the cross
Il sign of the cross it is a symbol strongly rooted in the Christian tradition and represents one of the most important acts during the Eucharistic celebration.
First of all, it is a gesture of blessing through which one marks oneself on the forehead, lips and heart pronouncing the words "in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". This symbolic gesture represents theunion with God, through the Holy Trinity, which offers protection, strength and guidance during life.
What does the sign symbolize on the head, lips and heart
The mark on the forehead: The head represents intellect and reasoning. Placed in this context it means that every believer analyzes every word of God heard, elaborates it and makes it his own.
The mark on the lips: after listening to the word of God, the gesture moves to the mouth, where we transform it into nourishment for the soul and announce it to those who are far away.
The sign on the heart: the heart is the seat of our feelings, where we place the word of Jesus as a seal of our love for him.
Because this gesture is even more important during mass
The sign of the cross assumes a meaning even more profound during the celebration of mass. The cross on which Jesus was crucified represents the symbol of salvation and love that God has for us, for this reason the sign of the cross is made both at the beginning and at the end of the celebration, as a sign of thanksgiving for the gift of life and for the presence of God.
During the celebration of mass, the priest makes the sign of the cross on several elements, such as on the consecrated bread and wine, the tabernacle, believers and their own bodies before consecrating the gifts. These are signs of respect and reverence for the sacredness of the celebration, which requires the presence of God and prayer for those who participate.
Also, the sign of the cross is a d symboli units among believers, through which Christian identity is expressed and connected to the roots of faith. As a visible sign of your faith, this gesture is a way to make your beliefs manifest and to join other believers in prayer.